MISHAWAKA -- Coley Moore was just hoping to put the ball in play Tuesday night. Instead, the junior shortstop deposited one over the left field wall for a leadoff homer, helping Penn on its way to a 6-1 victory over Clay in the Class 4-A regional baseball championship game at Penn Field. Moore finished with three hits and three RBIs as the Kingsmen roughed up Clay lefty Mike Sobol for 13 hits. With its second straight regional title, Penn (24-7) moves on to play top-ranked Crown Point (29-2) on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the opening game of the South Bend Semistate at Coveleski Stadium. Making its first regional appearance since 1994, Clay bows out at 17-13. While Moore proved to be the big hitting star, the defensive gem of the night had to go to Penn outfielder Mike Zuidema. With runners at first and second and two outs in the opening frame, Clay's Mike Timm delivered what looked to be an RBI single to center field. However, Zuidema quickly charged in and make a perfect one bounce strike to catcher Adam Auter, who had the plate blocked and proceeded to tag out Blake Batteast to end the inning. "I knew they had some fast runners on base, so I just tried my best to get the ball in there as quickly as I could," said Zuidema. "The throw just happened to be right on target and Auter did a great job of blocking the plate and getting it (the ball) to make the play." Making the most from this shift in momentum was Moore, who worked the count to three balls and two strikes before smacking his second homer of the season. "After that great throw home by Zuidema, I was just looking to keep things going," Moore explained. "I was just hoping to get a piece of it (ball) and get on base. Instead, I got one that I was able make solid contact and drive." The Kingsmen would manufacture another run in the second using a one-out double by Auter and a clutch two-out RBI single from No. 9 hitter Brady Iams. "Brady hasn't batted ninth for us very often. When he does, though, he seems to come up with big clutch hits for us," said Penn coach Greg Dikos. "Since Coley has become our leadoff hitter, he's really given us a boost and helped get off and running to a good start." After allowing four hits in the first two innings, including back-to-back singles to start the game, Penn righty Brian VanDuyn was able to settle down and find his groove. He helped his own cause by getting Josh Willis to bounce into a first-inning double play. In winning his seventh straight decision, the senior VanDuyn (8-3) allowed just three hits over the final five innings and finished with seven strikeouts. "Brian was missing some spots early on, so I thought we might be in for a slugfest," Dikos added. "Once he got his curve ball working again, though, he was tough and performed just like he has for us the past few weeks." It proved to be a frustrating end of the line for Sobol (8-3), who fanned eight and walked one in his final appearance with the Colonials. "We were confident early on and it showed because we came out swinging the bats," said Clay coach Chip O'Neil. "Hitting into that double play and then having Zuidema make that perfect throw, though, took some of the wind out of our sails. "Give Penn credit. They came out swinging too and hit the ball hard against Mike. They were able to come up with the big hits when they needed them, while we weren't. We had VanDuyn on the ropes, but then allowed him to regain his confidence." The Colonials tallied their only run in the seventh when Cody Schell reached on an error and then scored on another miscue. Sobol and Batteast had two hits apiece for Clay. Iams, Auter, VanDuyn, and Zuidema added two hits each for Penn, which tacked on a pair of insurance runs in both the fourth and sixth innings. Clay0000001 -- 1 7 2Penn110202x -- 6 13 2Mike Sobol (L, 8-3) and Eddie Williams; Brian VanDuyn (W, 8-3) and Adam Auter. 2B: Auter (P). 3B: Ryan Kaczmarski (P). HR: Coley Moore (P). Records: Clay 17-13, Penn 24-7. Umpires: John Wright (home plate), Scott Sanchez (first base), Bob Lichtenberger (third base). Staff writer Matt Kopsea: mkopsea@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6315